Jason Thompson, MD, is board certified and is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon who specializes in the care of patients with simple or complex problems of the neck or back. As an expert in the care of the spine, he may prescribe treatments including physical therapy, spinal injections, medications or massage, or he may perform surgical procedures including decompression, disc replacement, scoliosis correction or spinal fusion. He has special interests in treating young adults with scoliosis and in using cutting-edge technology to reduce the "footprint" of spinal surgery.He serves as Medical Director of The Spine Center, which allows him to improve his patients' experience as they move through the office, hospital, and rehabilitation phases of treatment. Coordinating and collaborating with other experts, such as therapists, radiologists, and physiatrists, he utilizes the strengths of a team approach to help his patients reach their goals.Recognizing that each patient is unique, he helps each person develop an individualized treatment plan. Whether a patient comes to him with leg cramps from stenosis or a numb arm from a blown-out disc in the neck, his goal is helping people regain their maximum potential. He believes in the power and success of an accurate diagnosis, rapid, individualized treatment, and multi-modality rehabilitative care. Patients frequently refer their families and friends to Dr. Thompson, and he believes there is no greater compliment than a satisfied patient saying, "Thanks! I’ll send my family to you."A Florida native, he has embraced the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, sailing and skiing. Dr. Thompson is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Kyphosis, Spondylolisthesis, Laminectomy, and Microdiscectomy.

Philip Yearian, DPM, is a board-certified surgeon specializing in the lower extremity treatment of the foot and ankle. He believes that staying on the forefront of treatment involves educating his patients, which leads to better outcomes.While competing as a Division I Track and Field athlete in the 3000 meters Steeplechase and Cross Country at the University of Portland, his own injuries introduced him to some of the very treatments he uses today to get patients back on their way to a non-painful walk or ultra-marathon.His training involved specializing in both bone and plastic reconstructive surgery. After over twenty years in practice in Gig Harbor and Tacoma, Dr. Yearian has improved some of these very techniques, which now allow some patients to shorten their recovery and return to play or work sooner.Dr. Yearian coaches basketball at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School. He also enjoys running marathons, skiing, traveling and teaching for the Franciscan Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Residency program. Dr. Yearian is highly rated in 20 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Bunions, Flat Feet, Synovitis, and Tendinitis.

Alan B. Thomas, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in upper extremity surgery. He has been practicing medicine since 2000, and he has a special interest in arthroscopy of the wrist, elbow and shoulder. He received a CAQ subspecialty certificate in orthopedic surgery of the hand from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.He enjoys the challenges of restoring people to health through his practice. His doctorate work in biochemistry opened up new approaches for treating complex problems and made him a more detailed clinician.Dr. Thomas is a former vice president of St. Clare Hospital and has served on the operating and surgical committees for St Clare Hospital and the medical executive committee for Franciscan Health at St. Josephs Medical Center. He is a chairman for an outreach committee at his church and a member of the board of directors for The Health Project – Cambodia, which delivers medical supplies and equipment to underserved people in Southeast Asia and he travels to Cambodia each year to provide surgical care to those in need.Outside of his medical practice and volunteer work, he tries to keep up with his three children who are avid skiers, wakeboarders, and surfers. Dr. Thomas is highly rated in 15 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Trigger Thumb, and Rhizarthrosis.

Michael J. Martin, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with advanced training in spinal medicine and surgical techniques for the treatment of degenerative conditions and fractures of the spine. He is professionally interested in spine treatment innovations with a focus on minimally invasive procedures.He has been a surgeon since 1992 and sees himself as a teacher and facilitator in helping people heal themselves. That’s why his high quality, compassionate care includes spending time educating patients about their condition and providing a personalized treatment plan that works for them.Dr. Martin was previously an investigator in a nationwide FDA clinical trial involving a less invasive lumbar spinal stenosis treatment that he helped develops. He is actively involved in developing other innovative treatments and devices for the treatment of diseases and conditions of the spine. He is a Peer Reviewer for the official journal of the NASS, The Spine Journal, and continues to publish articles in orthopedic journals and present community lectures on various lumbar and cervical spine topics.In addition to his community volunteer efforts at Bellarmine Preparatory School, he is an acting Board Member for Commencement Bay Rowing Club. He previously coached youth sports for local community baseball teams and basketball at Saint Patrick’s Catholic School in Tacoma. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and children, biking, skiing, and cooking. Dr. Martin is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Klippel-Feil Syndrome, Spondylolisthesis, Laminectomy, and Microdiscectomy.

Peter Krumins, MD, is fellowship trained in sports medicine with a professional interest in joint reconstruction of the lower extremity, including foot, ankle, knee and hip. He enjoys solving complex surgical problems to help individuals regain function and return to the activities they love.Dr. Krumins is an avid sports enthusiast enjoying snow skiing, paddle boarding, and hiking with his three children, as well as competing in bike races as a member of the Old Town Bicycle "dirt" team. Dr. Krumins is highly rated in 9 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Achilles Tendon Rupture, Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.

Sean D. Ghidella, MD, is fellowship trained in hand surgery and specializes in the surgical management of the upper extremity. He has been practicing since 1996 and has received a CAQ subspecialty certificate in orthopedic surgery of the hand from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He brings experience rarely found outside military practice to Tacoma, Lakewood, and Gig Harbor. He is well versed in management of common sports, work-related, arthritic, and traumatic injuries and ailments. He has a wealth of experience managing severe injuries and conditions resulting from combat as well as birth defects in children.Once management short of surgery has failed, Dr. Ghidella tries to speed recovery and improve function surgically with a combination of traditional techniques that have proven reliable and the latest techniques that depend on current technology. His goal is to restore function to his patients and get them back to their daily activities as quickly as possible by solving their orthopedic problem, big or small.He is a graduate of the Unites States Military Academy, West Point and has served in the military as an orthopedic and hand surgeon with the last eight years of his career holding positions of Chief of Hand Surgery and Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center. He retired from the Army as a Colonel and a combat veteran after 21 years of service in 2010 to pursue civilian practice. He has previously taught as an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M, USUHS, and Swedish Medical Center.He hails from New England, but he considers the South Sound home. He is an avid skier and enjoys water sports. His passion is assistant coaching for Gig Harbor High School Tides Varsity Football. Dr. Ghidella is highly rated in 8 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rhizarthrosis, Trigger Thumb, and Dupuytren Contracture.

William Clark, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and subspecialty certified hand surgeon. He has a clinical interest in arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, trauma/fractures, nerve and tendon disorders, minimally invasive surgery of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, complex hand surgery, and treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture.As a physician, he involves patients by discussing the diagnostic and treatment options for each condition and by encouraging them to participate in making their healthcare decisions. As a surgeon, he believes his mission is to provide safe, effective surgical care while staying abreast of the latest advances and techniques. His ultimate goal is patient satisfaction because this is what makes orthopedic surgery an enjoyable and rewarding profession for him. Dr. Clark is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Rhizarthrosis, Trigger Thumb, and Hip Replacement.

Patrick Vaughan, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in the care and education of the amateur, professional and weekend athlete. He utilizes both non-operative as well as surgical care in order to restore his patients' function and return them to the activities they love.Dr. Vaughan has been practicing orthopedic surgery in the South Sound for over 15 years. He is the medical director and team orthopedic surgeon for the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA franchise of the Seattle Mariners), and provides sports medicine coverage for Gig Harbor High School. He is the current team orthopedic surgeon for the University of Puget Sound and has worked with all of the school's varsity sports teams for over a dozen years. He served in the U.S. Navy from 2001-2005 at the Naval Hospital Pensacola as an orthopedic surgeon.He enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking, skiing, and golf, spending time with his family, and playing sports with his two teenagers. Dr. Vaughan is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Knock Knees, Osteoarthritis, Bowlegs, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.

Gavin H. Smith, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist and surgeon of the foot and ankle. He has been practicing medicine since 2004. He feels that his professional responsibility is the successful treatment of foot and ankle disorders. His professional interests include deformity correction, joint disorders, overuse injuries and trauma care. His philosophy of care is that the needs of the patient are the first priorities, and that any intervention, whether it be medical or surgical, should be evidence-based.Dr. Smith has volunteered for The Susan G. Komen 3-Day and is a surgical instrutor in the Franciscan Podiatry Residency Program. In his free time, he enjoys working in his shop and martial arts training with his sons. He and his wife have three energetic children who keep them busy. Dr. Smith is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Bunions, Tendinitis, Achilles Tendon Rupture, and Plantar Fasciitis.

Brian Jones, DO, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in full spectrum treatment of cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar spine (low-back) surgery. He also has a clinical interested in knee and shoulder repair and reconstruction, hip, knee, and shoulder replacement, and fracture care.He believes the patient-physician relationship relies on a team approach. Striving for successful results and improving one’s quality of life is an extremely rewarding process for the whole team. His goal is to gather enough information to make the right diagnosis, explore the best treatment options, and develop an individualized treatment plan in collaboration with each patient. Through this personalized approach, he is present at every step of the process so that each patient’s healthcare needs are met with the best possible results. Dr. Jones is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Coccydynia, Spinal Stenosis, Cervical Spondylosis, Hip Replacement, and Microdiscectomy.

Julian S. Arroyo, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder reconstruction, upper extremity orthopedic surgery, and sports medicine. He began practicing in 1996 and is the first fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon to practice in Pierce County. He is professionally interested in minimally invasive shoulder procedures and outpatient shoulder arthroplasty. He uses the most advanced surgical and non-surgical techniques available to help his patients return to a normal lifestyle more quickly and with fewer complications.Dr. Arroyo is a frequent contributor to leading orthopedic journals and lectures and instructs physicians in advanced shoulder reconstruction techniques. He also has worked with major manufacturers, assisting in development and design of orthopedic implants and techniques. Dr. Arroyo is one of a select few surgeons in the state with membership in the distinguished American Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Association and is also a reviewing editor for the association’s Journal of Shoulder & Elbow Surgery. As a Pacific Northwest native, Dr. Arroyo is very active in the community. He enjoys snow skiing, water sports, fishing, hunting, and golf. Dr. Arroyo is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Frozen Shoulder, Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, and Bursitis.

John M. Blair, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with a specialty in the treatment of degenerative conditions of the cervical and lumbar spine. His professional interests focus on outpatient minimally invasive spinal surgery resulting in the least possible amount of down time, early return to work and active lifestyles for his patients. He treats a wide range of spinal conditions with expertise in deformative spinal conditions, such as scoliosis, and major reconstructive spine surgery. Dr. Blair believes that his role as a physician is to understand each patient’s individual needs and personalize treatment. A practicing surgeon since 1994, he has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of spinal surgery. He is also constantly learning new and innovative skills to better serve his patients. He gives community lectures on new innovations in spinal care and is an active member of the Puget Sound Spine Interest Group, a local group that meets quarterly with guest speakers. He is also a member of an annual medical mission group. He and his wife have six children. In addition to family time, he enjoys computers, photography, and outdoor activities. He is an Eagle Scout and currently helps out with his son’s local Boy Scouts troop. Dr. Blair is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Fractured Spine, Laminectomy, and Microdiscectomy.

Richard Gray, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement and general orthopedic care. As an orthopedist with over 25 years of experience serving the Tacoma community, he brings a uniquely holistic skill set to the diagnosis and treatment of his patients. His goal is to team with his patients and their families to accurately and clearly define their problems, provide understandable treatment options, and to carry out the plan with professional, precise and expert care. His first goal is to avoid surgery, but when it’s necessary, he has the perspective to advise the best surgical procedure for each patient. He meticulously oversees the rehab and recovery phase of his patients to get them back to their best selves as soon as possible.Dr. Gray consults and instructs courses on spine reconstruction techniques for Stryker Spine, a medical device manufacturer. He shares his orthopedic knowledge by volunteering as a sports medicine consultant for Bellarmine Preparatory School.He is an active participant in his community school and church. Together with his wife and six children, he enjoys a wide range of family activities, mostly involving the great outdoors. He is proud to call the Pacific Northwest home. Dr. Gray is highly rated in 4 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.

W. Barrett Payne, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a special interest in knee, hip, and shoulder arthroscopy including complex reconstruction, repair of ligament, tendon, and rotator cuff injuries.As a physician and surgeon, Dr. Payne feels a profound responsibility to provide the best possible care for every patient he has the privilege to serve. He accomplishes this by communicating clearly, being an empathetic provider, using sound judgment, and involving his patients in the decision-making process. He uses the best technical skills with the latest and most advanced technologies. He strives to always make himself available to answer questions and address concerns throughout the treatment process. Dr. Payne is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Tendinitis, Osteoarthritis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, and Hip Replacement.

Alan Barronian, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a special interest in joint replacements of the hip, knee, and shoulder including minimally invasive hip and knee replacements. He also has a special interest in sports injuries including ligament reconstruction, foot and ankle reconstruction, and fracture care. He believes that physicians and patients need to be a team during treatment. His goal is to carefully listen to his patients, determine what the problem is, and then discuss options for treatment. This way he and his patients can formulate a plan and work together to cure the problem. Treatment is frequently non-surgical but if surgery is needed he will walk through that process with each patient. Dr. Barronian is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Baker Cyst, Rhizarthrosis, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.

Joshua Johnston is an Orthopedics provider in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Johnston is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Heavy Metal Poisoning, Tendinitis, and Hip Replacement. Dr. Johnston is currently accepting new patients.

Eric Alyea is an Orthopedics provider in Burien, Washington. Dr. Alyea is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Tendinitis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, and Frozen Shoulder. Dr. Alyea is currently accepting new patients.

Michael Franceschina is an Orthopedics specialist and a Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine provider in Federal Way, Washington. Dr. Franceschina is highly rated in 4 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Bursitis, Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis, and Hip Replacement. Dr. Franceschina is currently accepting new patients.

Praveen Kanneganti is an Orthopedics specialist and a Sports Medicine provider in Federal Way, Washington. Dr. Kanneganti is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, Frozen Shoulder, Bursitis, and Hip Replacement. Dr. Kanneganti is currently accepting new patients.

Robert Tamurian is an Orthopedics specialist and a Sports Medicine provider in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Tamurian is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Desmoid Tumor, Hip Replacement, and Osteotomy. Dr. Tamurian is currently accepting new patients.

John Howlett, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with a special interest in fracture care. He has completed additional fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery, including trauma, reconstruction, pediatric as well as microvascular surgery.He likes to remind himself that the origin of the Latin word “doctor” is “teacher,” and he considers it an important part of his role as a doctor to educate his patients about the conditions that are affecting them. He believes an informed and knowledgeable patient can participate more effectively in his or her own healing. As a former teacher who holds a master’s degree in education, Dr. Howlett deeply enjoys this aspect of working with patients.One of the experiences that shaped his career trajectory was his work as a counselor at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, founded by Paul Newman for children with cancer and other blood-related disorders. Witnessing the courage and energy of these children convinced him that healing involves more than medication and surgery. This experience led him to pursue his medical degree, where he saw an opportunity to combine his interest in caring for people with his passion for teaching.Having grown up in Washington enjoying hiking, backpacking, sailing, and canoeing, Dr. Howlett was eager to return to the Northwest for his residency and fellowship training. He now shares these same passions with his family. He and his wife both played soccer in college and can be found cheering on their two daughters at soccer games on the weekends. Dr. Howlett is highly rated in 16 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Trigger Thumb, Ganglion Cyst, Rhizarthrosis, and Hip Replacement.

Christopher Howe, MD, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeon who specializes in a wide array of spine care ranging from degenerative conditions to spine trauma and metastatic disease. He practices at POA's Renton and Covington locations. He has a clinical focus on simple and complex surgical care of the spine and general orthopedic fracture management.Dr. Howe's goal is to educate patients and allow them to make an informed decision about their care and treatment options. He serves as a member on the Industrial Insurance Medical Advisory Committee for the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.Away from orthopedics, he enjoys spending time with his family as well as backcountry skiing, cycling, running, and international travel. Dr. Howe is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis, Cervical Spondylosis, Cervical Disc Surgery, and Herniated Disc Surgery.

Ari Holtzman, MD, is fellowship trained in spine surgery at University of Washington/Harborview Spine.He started his training in Orthopedic surgery in New York City at Montefiore Medical Center, the largest hospital in Bronx, NY. He completed his training at the Spine Fellowship at Harborview and the University of Washington, which focused on treating degenerative spine conditions, spinal trauma, and complex spine deformity.Dr. Holtzman is passionate about not only treating, but educating his patients about their conditions so that they can make the best decisions together as a team. His goal in his practice is to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to work with his patients to help them achieve their individual goals in treatment and recovery.Dr. Holtzman is a member of the North American Spine Society, AO North America, and has presented his research at national meetings, as well as published and peer-reviewed in scientific journals. He is an Upstate New York native who fell in love with the PNW during his fellowship and is now proud to call the region home. When not working, he can be found with his wife and four children, skiing, sailing, biking, hiking, and enjoying any other outdoor activities. Dr. Holtzman is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Cord Abscess, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis, and Scoliosis.

Robert C. Vercio, MD, is fellowship trained in all aspects of surgery in the hand, elbow and shoulder. He completed the Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is passionate about patient education and partnering with patients, working together to help them make the best treatment decisions. He is skilled in ultrasound of the upper extremity for diagnosis and treatments and is co-author of a textbook to assist other physicians with these useful exams and techniques. Dr. Vercio has also spent time in developing countries from Nepal to Haiti and plans to continue helping those in need.Dr. Vercio is a South Sound native who grew up in Gig Harbor and is excited to be back in the PNW. When not mending bones in need, he enjoys chasing around his small family, spending time on the water, artisan bread baking and photography. Dr. Vercio is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rhizarthrosis, Ganglion Cyst, Osteotomy, and Bone Graft.

Niket Shrivastava, MD, is board-certified in orthopedics with a special focus on hand and wrist surgery. In addition to his clinical experience, he has substantial research experience including serving as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Orthopaedics at Columbia University and a research assistant in both the Department of Orthopaedics and Center for Bioengineering at University of Washington. Dr. Shrivastava is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Trigger Thumb, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Frozen Shoulder, and Hip Replacement.